ShelterBox relies on public donations, so it’s our incredible community of supporters that makes our work possible.
And nothing stops them. Whether on land, water or flying through the air, they’ve done it all! All to raise funds to support people they will never meet.
This summer was marked by the incredible determination and strength of our older supporters. Read on to discover some of our favourite fundraising stories from this summer.
Cycling the length of Britain
73-year-old Frank King from Nailsworth dusted off his 16-year-old bike to cycle the length of Britain.
From Lands End to John O’Groats Frank covered 1,000 miles and climbed over 55,000 metres during 14 days of cycling! Motivated by the camaraderie of the group, Frank kept up despite being the oldest.
He says: ‘The whole cycle was an incredible experience, and I’m thrilled to be able to raise money for ShelterBox.’
An amazing £4,300 was raised for ShelterBox and Nailsworth Rotary Club of which he is president.
Climbing the Bennachie hills
From two wheels to two legs, Dorothy Lamb a grandmother from Aberdeen, climbed one of the Bennachie hill peaks for ShelterBox.
Whenever the hills came into view on car journeys Dorothy would say to her grandsons she’d take them up one day – it stuck as a family joke. When Dorothy, now 79, heard about ShelterBox’s work around the world she decided now was the time to follow through on her promise.
In August, alongside her grandsons and other family and friends, Dorothy embarked on her mission. Despite not reaching the top due to health concerns, her grandsons were able to finish the climb for her.
She says: ‘I was disappointed that I could not make the top but have to admit that for someone of senior age and with some health issues I did not too badly.’
An amazing effort, raising £1,000 for ShelterBox!
100 miles in September
Another keen walker, longtime ShelterBox supporter Delia Kennedy, set herself an epic challenge to clock up 100 miles of solo walking during September.
Delia, who is approaching an important birthday, says: ‘ShelterBox is a charity close to my heart and having found myself in my 80th year I wanted to celebrate my many blessings by showing my support. It’s a marvellous organisation which does valuable and important work in so many of the trouble spots of our world.’
Even though the weather stopped her from walking on some days, Delia completed her miles ahead of time and raised hundreds of pounds.
Sailing a homemade dinghy
Our supporters don’t always keep two feet (or wheels) firmly on the ground. Some really push the boat out – like Paul Weatherill from Norfolk.
Paul embarked on an epic three-day voyage in July, sailing his homemade dinghy ‘ShelterBoat’ down the River Thames in aid of ShelterBox.
And not just any dinghy! Paul and his engineering friend Dave built the boat from an old ShelterBox. Adorned with ShelterBox green sails the vessel attracted lots of attention, helping us to raise vital awareness.
With the weather on his side Paul sailed from Henley-on-Thames to Marlow, then onto Eaton before finishing in Shepperton Lock.
Paul says: ‘It’s great to do something so enjoyable whilst doing my bit for such an important cause.’
Generous donations from friends, family and members of Watton and District Rotary Club put Paul’s fundraising total at £2,400.
We’d like to say a massive thank you to all our incredible supporters. Without you we wouldn’t be able to continue to support people around the world affected by disaster.
Feel inspired? Find out more about how to get involved here.
